Page:Anon 1830 Remarks on some proposed alterations in the course of medical education.djvu/8

 in practice and experience. We may decorate him with every intellectual, moral, and physical excellence, and all in harmonious novel keeping—all devoutly to be wished for, no doubt. But when, alas! is it our lot to see these commercial Grandisons realized, or how should we ever expect to frame laws to form them? In like manner, we may fancy a completely accomplished character adorning the Physician, Jurist, or Divine; but although sporadic instances of this may possibly occur, undoubtedly no general set of rules will fashion it. To be adepts in a profession, and at the same time well skilled in every branch of literature and science, presuppose a reach, a power, and a versatility, of intellect, that have hardly ever yet been exhibited, and which, independently of its being based on prodigious natural genius, it would require a lifetime of toilsome industry to perfect; at any rate, such cases must be considered as exceptions, and laws must be made for what is general. We must look long, I am afraid, even after the Utopian system has been in full operation, for such "admirable Crichtons" to arise; and I question much if that illustrious individual (whose name this genus of intellectual prodigies may be expected to assume) would now, in these latter days, be able to support his reputation, when to the attainments of his age he had to super-add the enormous stores of knowledge that have been accumulated since lie triumphantly disputed with the